The Public Ministry carries out an operation against a mafia in prison canteens in the state of Rio de Janeiro, this Tuesday morning (12).
The agents carry out four search and seizure warrants at addresses linked to the suspects, who are being investigated by criminal organization, cartel and bid fraud. Among the targets are two lawyers.
The Operation “Snack Time” (Snack Hour, in English), is led by Specialized Action Group to Combat Organized Crime of the Public Ministry of the State of Rio de Janeiro (GAECO/MPRJ). The orders are carried out in the neighborhoods of Copacabana, Barra da Tijuca, Sepetiba and Bangu.
The action is the result of a MP’s criminal investigative procedure (PIC) on a canteen mafia, which was initiated based on a report from the Undersecretariat of Intelligence for the Penitentiary System (SSISPEN).
The investigation indicated that the criminal scheme would involve at least 30 companies and agents from the State Secretariat for Penitentiary Administration (Seap) directly or indirectly linked to crimes.
The fraudulent scheme has been occurring since 2019, according to the MPRJ. It would have been structured within Seap to maintain a cartel that controls the canteen service. The MPRJ estimates that the criminal organization caused damage of more than R$25 million to the state.
After the secretariat’s decision to close the service, the body would have started use prisoners to file lawsuits against the state of Rio de Janeiro according to the Public Ministry.
A group of lawyers, on behalf of the prisoners, filed lawsuits to mislead the courts, as if the prisoners were demanding the reopening of the cafeterias.
According to the investigation, the prisoners stated, in testimony, who did not know what the object of the proceedings was when they signed the powers of attorney.
Prosecutors say the lawyers sought to ensure the continuity of the practice that harms the State and inmates of the prison system, due to the high prices of the products sold.
The warrants were issued by 1st Criminal Court Specialized in Criminal Organizations.
THE CNN contacted Seap for a position and is awaiting a response.
This content was originally published in MP carries out operation against mafia in prison canteens in Rio de Janeiro on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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